5 Best Table Saw For Dado Cuts & Blades 2024

A commonly asked question amongst both professional and new woodworkers is what is the best table saw for dado cuts? This is understandable, as dado cuts are an important aspect of carpentry, and a dedicated table-saw is required.

Some people think that they can make the cut by placing the dado blade on their existing table saw. But, this is incorrect, you need a dado blade for table saw use and that table must be designed to support the blades. If the dado blades are connected to an unsuitable table saw, there are safety risks.

Sourcing a table saw for dado blades can be a challenge and there are many products on the market. In this article, we will take a closer look at the best tools to meet your needs. This advice should help you to find the best table saw for dado cuts. We have chosen DEWALT DWE7491RS as the Best Table Saw For Dado Cuts from our research and customer reviews for its amazing performance on making great cuts.

What Is a Dado Cut?

Dado cuts are made to connect two pieces of wood in woodworking. These are the grooves used to secure the joining of two pieces of wood. In woodworking, dadoes are made to hold drawer cases and door panels mostly.

What Is a Dado Blade?

Dado blade is the type of blade used to create dado cuts. It is installed in the table saw to make it work. And if you are a professional woodworker, you must know that not every table saw is compatible with a dado blade. The saw with dado capacity is slightly different than that of the ordinary table saw.

What is the Best Table Saw For Dado Cuts

These products are filtered after thorough research. We considered all the aspects of an ideal dado cut table saw while shortlisting these products. These all are based on authentic user reviews without any biases towards any brand. 

1. DEWALT DWE7491RS Table Saw For Dado Cuts – Overall Best

This table saw has a power-on indicator, which is an underrated safety feature. The stand may be heavy, but the tradeoff of the extra power and stability is worth it, if you have the room for this unit. The DEWALT DWE7491RS does not come with the dado blade set, it’s a separate purchase, but this is an excellent table for dado cuts.

Making 90º right angle cuts is tricky and blade alignment is difficult for this application. But, this is an above average saw for DIY enthusiasts that want a more serious saw and contractors on a strict budget. This table saw comes with several accessories, including: a miter gauge, a 10” carbide tipped blade, a rolling stand, the push stick, a blade guard and a riving knife.

The  2.5inch vacuum dust cleaner in the table saw allows woodworkers to do a mess-free job. With a dust collection rate of approximately 99%, it makes the work manageable and hassle-free. 

Key Specs

• It comes with a 15-amp motor.
• 2 inch dust collection port that can be easily connected to your vacuum cleaner.
• It has A collapsible rolling stand that offers great portability in your workspace.

2. SKIL 3410-02 10-Inch Best Table Saw For Dado Blades

The most highlighted features include 1 inch table saw, carbide blade, blade wrenches, miter gauge, adjustable rip fence, and most importantly, a heavy-duty steel-built folding stand that offers great mobility. 

A 15-amp motor produces 5000 RPM speed for blades to make flawless cuts. Its versatility for woodworking and carpentry makes it a go-to product for most carpenters be it, professionals or beginners.

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With its high capacity of 3.5 inches, it can easily go through the material 4 times. The range of bevel angle is ranged from 2 to 7 degrees. The cut is 3.5 inches at 90 degrees and is 2.5 inches at 45 degrees.

It is more suitable for beginners as it does not need any complicated assembling when you purchase it. It comes already assembled and adjusted. Just bring it home and you are good to go!

Key Specs

1. Wide 20 x 26 inches table for easy working.
2. Self-aligning fence and easy view measurement system.
3. The quick-mount system is easily adjustable.
4. The heavy-duty metal stand provides more stability 

3. SKILSAW SPT99T-01 8-¼ Table Saw With Dado Capability

This can generate significant heat and this is handled with extensive copper wiring to keep the motor temperatures under control. This 3 hp motor drives the 24 teeth blade efficiently with a 25” ripping capacity to cut plywood sheets smoothly. At 45º the cutting depth capacity is 1-⅞” and at 90º it’s 2-⅝” and cutting three times material is easy.

The SKILSAW SPT99T-01 table saw has a rack and pinion sliding fence. It’s easy to make 0-45º adjustments and the cutting precision is impressive. The roll-cage is made from aluminum and steel, and it’s designed for tough worksite conditions and heavy cutting tasks.

This table saw weighs 44 lbs, the worm drive gearing’s are portable, and this makes the entire saw portable without compromising on power. There is onboard storage to store the blade, a hex wrench, the push stick, miter gauge and the table insert. If you need a table saw that’s light, powerful, and capable of dado cuts, this is an excellent option.

Key Specs

1. The worm drive offers great power and torque. 
2. The rip capacity of 25 inches makes great dado cuts.
3. The all-metal constructed body is highly durable.

4. Dewalt 7491X Table Saw For Dado Cut

For dado insertion, you need to get a separate plate of number DWE7402D1. For this dado cut table saw, Avoid using dado blades of diameter more than 8 inches.

To set up this table saw for dado cuts, first set free the lever to pull the guard or riving knife. This step is important because the blade guard assembly has to be removed before dado blade insertion.

On its purchase, you will get a 10-inch carbide blade, a push stick, miter gauge, folding stand, a rack, and pinion fence for better faster fence adjustment.

Key Features

1. Its 15- ampere motor produces high power to cut tough pieces of wood.
2. It makes 3-1/8 inches of deep cuts at 90 degrees angle and 2-¼ inches deep cuts at a 45-degree angle. 
3. Its site-pro modular grinding system provides easy tool-free adjustment.

5. Evolution RAGE 5-S Pro Jobsite Table Saw

A full-length parallel fence with rail guide makes accurate rip cutting smooth and reliable. The blade can be set up to a 45º bevel til and a 60º miter which covers all the typical cutting angles.

The RAGE 5-S sits on a collapsible frame with built-in wheels for easy storage and handling. There are left and right table extensions to support large work pieces and the maximum table surface dimensions are: 47¼” x 25 3/16”. A push stick is included to safely handle the off cuts.

A separate miter saw stand is not required and the blade height can be raised or lowered to make trench cuts. The saw blade is a 28T Japanese tungsten carbide tipped (TCT) blade which can cut through ¼” mild steel.

Key Specs

1. Fold able and rolling stand for portability
2. Easy blades and height adjustments
3. Adjustable fence

Guideline For Buying Best Table Saw For Dado Cuts

As you can see, there are a lot of options when you’re looking for the best table saw for dado cuts. For a dado cut, there is no superior option to a table saw and a handheld tool can never simulate the precision and control that’s required for this task.

But, with so many possible choices, how can you select the table saw that meets all your needs? This buyer’s guide should help, let’s take a more detailed look at the features that you need to consider before you make a final purchasing decision.

The 3 Table Saw Types Explained

At first glance, it may seem that all table saws are the same, but if you look closer, there are slight and major differences in their designs. In fact, there are three main table saw types: the cabinet table saw, the contractor table saw and the benchtop table saw.

• A cabinet table saw is a large and powerful tool that’s designed for heavy-duty cutting duties in a factory, woodshop or workshop.

• A contractor table saw is still a relatively large saw, it can be used in a professional capacity and it’s a powerful alternative to the benchtop table saw type for new and more experienced woodworkers.

• A benchtop table saw is the smallest type, it’s portable and a great option for smaller workshops and less demanding projects.

To make dado cuts, you will need a cabinet table saw type, most contractor and benchtop saws cannot make an accurate dado cut. There are exceptions, but the best dado cuts are made on larger static table saws

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The Saw Blade Size

Most modern table saws have a blade that ranges from 5” up to 10” in diameter. These tend to be carbide-tipped steel blades although standard blades can be used to lesser effect. When you purchase a table saw and you want to make dado cuts, it’s important to consider the blade size. A table saw that can accommodate dado blades will clearly state the size of blade that will fit that saw.

The Table Saw Dimensions

The size of the table saw is a key factor when you want to make any cuts and it’s especially important when you need to make dado cuts. When we talk about the size of a table saw, we are referring to the maximum cutting width that a specific saw can make. Cabinet table saws tend to have a width of 27” which is sufficient to handle full-sized lumber.

There are cabinet table saws that can cut even larger lumber sizes up to 36” in width and others that have a maximum width of 30”. When you need to make dado cuts, you need a model that has sufficient throat depth (more on this later) and adequate space around the dado blade to prevent binding when deeper cuts are made.

The Dado Capacity of the Table Saw

When we refer to the dado capacity of a given table saw we’re talking about the maximum width of a dado cut that the saw can handle. To determine the dado capacity of a saw, there are three key factors to consider: the size of the dado blade that you plan to use, the width of the table saw arbor and the need for extra support to accommodate larger sections of wood.

Let’s look at these three factors in more detail:

• The Dado Blade Size: It’s important to think about the blade size that you want to use. Most modern table saws are supplied with a 5” or 10” blade and certain models can handle other blade sizes too. So, if you’re planning to use a smaller 3-4” blade you will have a reduced dado capacity when this is compared to a larger 7-8” blade.

• The Arbor Width: There are usually only two options when it comes to the arbor diameter on table saws. Most bench-top models come with a 6” arbor and contractor/cabinet table saws tend to have an 8” arbor.

• Additional Support: The blade size that’s supplied with the table saw may not be the only size that the saw can use. Many modern table saws allow the user to fit larger blades up to 10” wide to tackle larger cutting jobs. This additional support will increase the dado width maximum that the table saw can handle by up to 4”.

The Table Saw Throat Depth

When we refer to the throat depth, we’re considering the distance between the blade and the top of the cutting surface. Many woodworkers prefer to set their table saw to a throat depth of 12” minimum. Why? Well, this depth allows the user to make a cut in wider boards without flipping the board to complete the cut.

This is an important factor when large volumes of wood need to be processed and it can be a real time saver. If you want to make dado cuts with your table saw, you need a model that has sufficient throat depth. To make this easier, the throat depth should be 8-16” and it’s important to understand that going lower than 8” is simply not practical.

Extra Features of best table saw for dado cuts

There are certain extra features that are not essential, but they can improve the table sawing experience, and this is equally applicable when you make dado cuts. A lighter saw that can be folded is desirable, if you plan to work remotely with the table saw.

A good dust collection system will improve the indoor air quality (IAQ) as you work, and the cleanup will be easier. Additional safety features such as automatic shut-off, power indicator and more are desirable because they can prevent serious injuries.

There are two types of dado blades that can be used according to your need.

1. Wobble-style dado blades

This type of dado blade is adjusted on a disk. The disk makes the blade rotate when it gets power. This type of dado blade makes smooth grooves that are rounded at the center. But it can cause some vibration in the table during its operation

2. The stacked dado set

This dado blade consists of saw blades and some chippers. The chippers get fit into the center of the blade on the arbor of the saw. The placement of the chippers between the saw blades affects the width of the dado.

Best Table Saw For Dado Cuts | Frequently Asked Question’s

1. How to cut a dado with a table saw?

There are specific types of blades for dado cuts. All you need to do is to adjust those blades on the table saw to get the job started. Both types vary in adjustments and there is a small difference in the type of cuts as well.

The two types of blades are:

• Wobble-style dado blades
• The stacked dado set

You just have to choose one of these blades, adjust them on the table saw and you are ready to get started!

2. How to make a dado cut with a table saw?

Put the type of dado blade as per the type of dado cut you want to the arbor of the table saw. Adjust it and tighten the nuts properly in order to avoid any accidents during work. Bring the piece of wood to the working table and tie it with a clamp. Now slide the wood piece through the blade and you will get the dado cuts as per your adjusted width. 

3. What size dado blade for 10 inch table saw?

The dado blade of 8 inches in diameter is ideal for a 10-inch table saw. The maximum limit is 10 inches but you should leave some margin in order to make it work smoothly. You can also go for a 6 or 7 inches wider blade as well. It depends on the types of cut you want to achieve as well.

4. Are Dado Blades Safe to Use?

Yes, although a dado blade has the potential to be dangerous like any other sharp woodworking tool they are not inherently any more risky to use. When you handle sharp tools, it’s important to exercise care and understanding how to use equipment can reduce the risk of injuries. Using a sacrificing fence with a partially buried dado blade when you make a dado cut at the end of the wood is a good safety practice.

5. Can Any Table Saw Accommodate a Dado Blade?

No, many smaller or medium-sized table saws cannot accommodate dado blades. The arbors are too short, there is no way to fit a dado blade set safely and attempting to use a table saw for this purpose can be dangerous. The table saw arbor width must be sufficient for the saw blade and dado blade must be smaller than the length of the arbor.

Best Table Saw for Dado Cuts-In Conclusion

We hope that after going through the above-detailed guide, it is now easier for you to choose the best table saw for dado cuts. Price is also a factor that can affect your purchase decision. Choose the table saw that best suits your requirements and the type of projects that you want to complete.

Choosing the best table saw for dado cuts may seem complex, but if you consider the points covered in this article it will be much easier. Thorough research on the models that interest you is important if you want the table saw to meet all your needs. To make this process simple all of the table saws in this guide can accommodate dado blades.